Political temperature in Sierra Leone rises

Until last week everything seemed to have been going well as we slowly but surely approach November 17.

Last Friday`s incident, which itself has been shrouded in confusion as to what exactly happened at that Sackville Street and Goderich Street intersection, have dampened this fragile hope of a violent free poll.

And by all indications the stimulant to the bad blood that is gradually oozing its way into the political debate has been the utterances of people who have nothing to lose no matter which way the election result goes. Their words and actions are spiced up, as always, by that cantankerous section of the media.

As things stands now, it is only safe to say that we are at the mercy of God.

Yes, at the mercy of God.

In this country everything that happens tends to have two different explanations, and always towing the lines of the two dominant parties – the governing All Peoples Congress (APC) and main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP).

This is exactly the case for the now infamous traffic incident that the police say caused panic after presidential security guards allegedly corked their guns, only to stand-down in the face of a similar move, allegedly, by the security guards of the opposition leader.

Where`s all the talk about violence free election gone and tolerance?

Supporters of APC say Brigadier (rtd) Julius Maada Bio refused to give way to the president`s convoy. The police hold the same view.

But Bio`s SLPP insists they were caught off guard. They denied ever warned by the police, who they in fact blamed for the incident for not properly coordinating the president`s movement.

One thing is certain, like the police succinctly put it in their press release, dated 13 October, “the privilege of providing unfettered passage when the Head of State is moving on his normal business” is absolutely incontestable.

But I haven’t heard anyone inquiring the veracity of the police`s statement.

It is also important to note that the most important thing today is the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Whatever it takes has to be taken so that this is achieved.

The police are crucial in this.

That is why I am a little bit unsure about the police`s way of handling last week`s incident.

Using words such as “DISREGARD FOR LAW AND ORDER”, THREAT TO SECURITY” were only sure of fermenting tension rather than making Maada change, if ever he actually did what he did deliberately.

For what it`s worth, I have heard reports citing the Brigadier as expressing regret that they could not prevent the incident because of how it happened.

Isn`t that enough of an expression of remorse?

In all honesty, what would the police intend to achieve by releasing a statement that paints an aspiring head of state in the light of a lawless man in the streets? What does that speak of Sierra Leone and Sierra Leoneans?  

I hope someone listening?

This election is really becoming a do-or-die thing.